That’s a fine distinction, but much like a mission statement, or a business plan, once you’ve decided the career v. job conundrum – and commit to it — everything flows from it.
There is no right answer…and the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive, although while a job can be part of a career…a career cannot be diminished to just a job.
Once you’ve decided you want a voice over career, then certain jobs are not aligned with that decision. You start to see beyond hand-to-mouth, paycheck-to-paycheck.
Maybe a little word comparison will help. See the chart below:
|
The Jobster |
The Career-Meister |
|
reacts |
plans |
|
accepts |
seeks |
|
looks ahead |
looks beyond |
|
settles |
discerns |
|
seeks money |
seeks goals |
|
stable/safe |
takes risks |
|
short term |
long term |
|
what you do |
who you are |
|
has a skill |
has a profession |
|
practicality |
passion |
.
There are tangential issues here, too.
Having a career does not necessarily mean you need to be in a union, or have (an) agent(s).
Seeking jobs does not mean being a pauper or accepting any work at any rate.
Sometimes you might take a job for reasons that don’t meet your career goals….but it’s hard to say a certain series of jobs constitutes a career.
Again, no write or wrong answer. What are your needs? How does VO fit into your larger (life and family) plans?
Regardless, there’s a pay-off to taking a hard look at this issue, deciding, and committing. Then you can set your compass, pick a course, and be more efficient.
So, what’ll it be? Job or Career?
CourVO
